Part 3 – Recycle – 18 Ways You Could be Recycling

Resources around the globe are diminishing everyday. For future generations to enjoy the planet as we do, we need to be more mindful about what we throw into landfill. By utilising recycling programs we can help reduce what ends up in landfill and re-use the those materials. You as an individual CAN make a difference! Try encouraging your workplace, school, community to participate as well for an even bigger impact.

What’s even better than recycling? Reducing! Reduce, re-use then recycle. Check out our other articles

Accepted Waste:

3. Clothes & Textiles

Did you know?

H & M give 15% off your next purchase with each bag donated. H & M Rewear, Reuse or Recycle all donated items. Drop off to your local store. For every 1kg collected 0.02 Euros (Approx $0.03 AUD) is donated to a local charity chosen by H & M.

Accepted Waste:

7. Batteries

FREE program. Multiple Drop Off Locations.

Did you know?

There are a wide range of battery types, many of which contain toxic metals such as cadmium, mercury and lead. Others contain valuable materials like magnesium and zinc. Used rechargeable batteries are a hazardous waste and should not be placed in the garbage bin. All Aldi Stores have collection points [closest Aldi store] Battery World stores also give out FREE little wheelie bins to store your expired batteries. Simply take them into store to dispose of [closest Battery World store.]

Includes batteries in laptops, mobile phones, power tools and cameras.

8. Computers & Accessories

FREE program. Multiple Drop Off Locations.

Did you know?

Australians are among the highest users of new technology in the world and purchase over 2.4 million computers every year. This makes electronic waste or e-waste, including computers and accessories, a growing problem. Computers are ideal for recycling due to their large volumes, inclusion of hazardous materials, and good resource recovery potential for non-renewable resources like tin, nickel, zinc and copper.

Sell of give it away on Gumtree A lot of computer repairers are looking for these on here! I have personally sold 2 laptops for a solid $50.

10. Mobile Phones

Did you know?

Over 95% of the materials in mobile phones can be recovered to make new products. The gold, silver, copper, nickel, cadmium and plastics in the mobiles can be turned into jewellery, stainless steel, batteries and plastic fence posts and pallets. The mobile phone industry claims that you can recover the same amount of gold from 50,000 handsets as from mining 110 tonnes of gold ore.

Accepted Waste:

12. TV’s

FREE program. Multiple Drop Off Locations.

Did you know?

Electrical appliances are made up of a broad range of materials including precious metals (such as gold and platinum), toxic heavy metals, metal circuitry, mixed plastics, fire retardants and glass. Heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic as well as flame-retardants can cause environmental contamination through leaching from e-waste in landfill into water systems. By recycling, this contamination can be avoided and useful resources can be conserved, as up to 95% of materials can be recovered for reuse.

These items are NOT recyclable through these bins?

What can go in the recycling bin? – Brisbane
What can go in the recycling bin? – Sydney

14. Hotel Toiletries

Unused toiletries

FREE program. Multiple Drop Off Locations. Help those in need.

Did you know?

Hotel toiletries are great for homeless people. Small and easy to carry. I collect unused hotel toiletries to donate to the homeless through Making a Difference.

Give toiletries to me or contact Making a Difference on their Facebook Page to find a drop off point near you.

For other areas simply search for homeless shelters in your area.

15. Printer Cartridges

FREE program. Multiple Drop Off Locations.

Did you know?

Australians throw away more than 18 million printer cartridges every year. This amounts to over 5,000 tonnes of material, including laser toner cartridges, inkjet cartridges, photocopier toner bottles and drums, that will eventually end up in landfill. When printer cartridges break apart in landfill, they have the potential to contaminate groundwater and the environment. All Officeworks and Cartridge World stores plus participating Australia Post, Harvey Norman, The Good Guys, JB Hi Fi collect used cartridges.

16. Bras

Did you know?

17. White Goods

FREE program. Multiple Drop Off Locations.

Did you know?

They contain significant amounts of metal, plastic, insulating material, refrigerant (gases) and other non-renewable and valuable material. Recycling keeps these materials in the economy. It also helps prevent toxic substances such as flame-retardants from entering the environment.

Including but not limited to fridges, freezers, microwave ovens, stoves, dishwashers, washing machines, clothes dryers and air conditioners.